Modi’s plane landing in Moscow.
PM Modi has reached Russia after 5 years. He was welcomed with a guard of honor at Vnukovo-2 International Airport in Moscow. During this, the Russian army played the tune of the Indian national anthem. Modi will participate in the 22nd India-Russia annual summit. Modi will also have a private dinner with Putin today.
This will be the first time that Prime Minister Modi is visiting Russia after the Ukraine war. Earlier he visited Russia in 2019. Modi and Vladimir Putin last met during the SCO Summit in Samarkand, the capital of Uzbekistan, in 2022. Putin did not come for the G-20 summit held in India in 2023.
This will be the first time that Prime Minister Modi is visiting Russia after the Ukraine war. Earlier he visited Russia in 2019. Modi and Vladimir Putin last met during the SCO Summit in Samarkand, the capital of Uzbekistan, in 2022. Putin did not come for the G-20 summit held in India in 2023.
Modi’s visit to Russia is happening at a time when the NATO summit is about to begin in America. The Foreign Ministry has issued a statement clarifying that Modi’s visit to Russia has nothing to do with the NATO summit. In fact, Russia has been isolated in Europe since the Ukraine war began. Meanwhile, it has got the support of China and India.
However, India wants to keep its stand neutral in the matter of Russia. Despite this, the whole world, especially the western countries, will be watching Modi’s visit to Russia. Modi will reach Russia this afternoon. Today he will have a private dinner with the Russian President.
The growing trade deficit between India and Russia is an important issue
Trade between India and Russia has increased rapidly after the Ukraine war. A large part of this is the crude oil being purchased by India. In the financial year 2023-24, India purchased crude oil worth Rs 45.4 lakh crore.
In the financial year 2023-24, there was a trade of Rs 54 lakh crore between the two countries. In this, India exported only Rs 3.3 lakh crore to Russia. India’s Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra had said on Friday just before the visit that the two leaders would discuss the issue of inequality in trade.
There may be a discussion between the two leaders regarding the new trade route
There can also be talks on new trade routes to increase trade between India and Russia and reduce the cost involved. Recently, India has taken Iran’s Chabahar port on lease for 10 years.
In such a situation, India can negotiate with Russia to start a new trade route through Central Asia through this port. With the help of this port, India can trade directly with Iran, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia and Europe.
Talks possible on delivery of S-400 air defence system
India had signed a deal to buy S-400 air defense systems from Russia in 2018. Under this deal, India was to get all these air defense systems in the next 5 years. However, till now Russia has given only 3 air defense systems to India. India is yet to get 2 S-400s.
A major reason behind this is believed to be the Ukraine war, due to which the delivery of air defense systems is getting delayed. In such a situation, Prime Minister Modi can discuss this issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Just before the visit, Russia finalised the deal to make Mango missiles in India
Russia’s state-owned defense company Rostec said on Thursday last week that it has started work on manufacturing Mango missiles in India. After the deal is finalized, India’s military power will increase.
Actually Mango missiles are a kind of shells, which are fired with the help of tanks. Rostec said that it is also planning to produce gunpowder in India.
These shells, fired from a 125 mm caliber tank gun, are capable of tearing apart armored tanks and armored vehicles. These shells can penetrate the strong outer structure of tanks, penetrate them and then explode.
In simple words, when it is fired from a tank, it first tears apart the target and penetrates inside and then blasts. These shells can penetrate 230 mm steel at an angle of 60 degrees up to a distance of 2000 meters. Apart from this, if fired straight i.e. at 0 degrees, it can tear apart 520 mm steel.
